A neighborhood’s transformation towards gentrification begins with a series of almost simultaneous progressive changes. It almost always begins with rezoning which provides the green light – the legal basis - for developmental change from commercial/industrial to residential.

Some of these initial changes geared for anticipated long-term sustained growth beyond basic beautification– and greater value for local property owners - are as follows:

  1. Zoning changes or applications for zoning changes from industrial/commercial to residential which is a forecast of future development.
  2. Additional public transportation services with respect to additional bus routes, new or upgraded bus shelters, new signage, and greater frequency of service particularly late night service.
  3. The re-pavement of roads, new signage, sidewalk repairs and addition of bike paths.
  4. Change in traffic flow by converting a narrow two-way street to a one-way street plus a bike path.
  5. Additional or change with respect to which roads can be used for commercial traffic.
  6. A change of traffic control system from stop signs to traffic lights that forecast a growing population.
  7. The closing of empty lots previously used for outdoor paid parking. The owners anticipate or have received offers to sell where new residences will be constructed.
    Additional floors added to current buildings, usually former industrial or commercial buildings.
  8. The appearance of an anchor establishment, usually an upscale store or restaurant whose prices are above those current neighborhood venues offering similar services.

As the neighborhood develops a critical aspect should be monitored to determine whether this growth is sustainable. The growth is sustainable if the new demographic represents a broad soci0-economic representation in the shape of a pyramid. If the pyramid has a broad base consisting of working and middle class, then the neighborhood can maintain its standing through tough economic times. Because the supporting services in the neighborhood are affordable, they will be able to remain to serve all in the community. These supporting services are independently owned and broad based to include tailors, shoe makers, fruit & vegetable stands and comfort food restaurants.

If the socio-economic shape is an inverted pyramid in which high-earners outnumber lower earning residents, the neighborhood will suffer when the economic slows. Critical signs are the clusters of a narrow range of businesses that rely on high-level discretionary expenditures such as bar lounges, specialty shops, high-end restaurants most if not all with ‘designer’ sounding names evoking a global concept rather than a local one. The high earners will remain but spend significantly less money thus forcing the closure of restaurants, shops, food stores and other services that cater to this demographic.

 

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